The One Thing Study is a simple but powerful devotional tool. It consists of three steps that are easy to remember and share. The word ONE is an acrostic, with each letter standing for a different part of the study.
The One Thing Study is powerful. Don't confuse simple with shallow. The One Thing Study is life changing because it connects the reader directly to God through His word. Consistently meditating on God's word throughout the day is transforming.
The One Thing Study is essential. The Great Commission is vertical before it is horizontal. Worship precedes witness. What a person experiences with God determines what they express about God. Worship is the goal of the One Thing Study.
The One Thing Study is powerful. Don't confuse simple with shallow. The One Thing Study is life changing because it connects the reader directly to God through His word. Consistently meditating on God's word throughout the day is transforming.
The One Thing Study is essential. The Great Commission is vertical before it is horizontal. Worship precedes witness. What a person experiences with God determines what they express about God. Worship is the goal of the One Thing Study.
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The One Thing Study is a priority. It's the first tool taught to a disciple. Remember the saying, "Give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and feed him for life?" Teaching someone how to do a One Thing Study is like teaching them to fish; it's feeding them for life.
The One Thing Study is revealing. Listening to someone share about their One Thing Study is like putting a spiritual stethoscope against their heart. It displays the true nature of their relationship with God. |
The word of God ignites our worship of God, which drives our witness for God. |
Step 1. O = Observe the Scripture.
Read at least a passage at a time. The Bible consists of two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Each section contains several books containing chapters. Each chapter has one or more passages. Passages are marked with headings and contain one or more paragraphs. A passage is the basic unit of thought in the Bible.
Read from start to finish. Do One Thing Studies from the beginning until the end of whatever book you choose. First-time readers are encouraged to start in the New Testament by reading one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) or the book of Romans. The Gospels tell about the life of Jesus Christ. Romans the most theologically comprehensive book in the Bible. An excellent Old Testament book to read is the first book, Genesis. It describes the origin of humanity and displays the nature of God.
Read from start to finish. Do One Thing Studies from the beginning until the end of whatever book you choose. First-time readers are encouraged to start in the New Testament by reading one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) or the book of Romans. The Gospels tell about the life of Jesus Christ. Romans the most theologically comprehensive book in the Bible. An excellent Old Testament book to read is the first book, Genesis. It describes the origin of humanity and displays the nature of God.
Read with understanding. Choose a translation that is easy to read. The New Living Translation (NLT) is accurate and easy-to-understand.
Read devotionally. Focus on the terms you know and phrases you understand. Don't be distracted by what you don't know or understand. There is another time for that type of study. Often, devotions are constrained by time. Maximize the use of your time by reading to nourish your soul. (Proverbs 4:20-21)
Read devotionally. Focus on the terms you know and phrases you understand. Don't be distracted by what you don't know or understand. There is another time for that type of study. Often, devotions are constrained by time. Maximize the use of your time by reading to nourish your soul. (Proverbs 4:20-21)
Step 2. N = Note the one thing that speaks to your heart the most.
Mark the One Thing that resonates the most with you. It may be a word, phrase, sentence, or verse. Underline it, highlight it, or circle it. Whatever you do, make sure you mark it! Marking your one thing allows for easy access for personal reflection and when sharing with others.
The smaller the One Thing, the better. This is important. Meditating on a word or phrase is much easier than thinking about a large section of Scripture. Dwelling on just a few words of Scripture throughout the day is a powerful experience.
The smaller the One Thing, the better. This is important. Meditating on a word or phrase is much easier than thinking about a large section of Scripture. Dwelling on just a few words of Scripture throughout the day is a powerful experience.
Stick with it even if the first reading is not productive. If nothing speaks to your heart, stop and ask God to help you hear His voice as you reread. If several things speak to your heart, ask God to help you focus on just one. Trying to meditate on too many things can dilute the impact of thinking about just one thing. You can always begin your next One Thing Study where you left off.
Step 3. E = Express it back to God.
Pray your One Thing back to God. Have a conversation with God about what He just said to you. The key is that it's meaningful. The goal is worship. The intended outcome is reverent love for the Lord. The kind of spiritual refreshment that encourages your heart and stays with you the rest of the day.
Pray your One Thing with responsiveness in mind. It may be a truth to reflect upon, a directive to obey, or a promise to embrace. It can be a confession to make, praise to offer, or an open-ended question for the Holy Spirit to answer throughout the day.
Pray your One Thing with your nature in mind. Perfectionists need to be mindful of not always looking for ways to improve. Instead, be ready to give thanks or offer praise. Others need to be aware of not just going through the motions. You will get out of this what you put into it. As Rick Warren says, "We are as spiritually mature as we choose to be."
Share your One Thing with yourself in mind. When sharing with others, speak in the first person (I and me) not the second or third person. Avoid using we, you, they, and them. Remember, this is about what God is saying to you, about you, not what He is saying to you for others.
Pray your One Thing with your nature in mind. Perfectionists need to be mindful of not always looking for ways to improve. Instead, be ready to give thanks or offer praise. Others need to be aware of not just going through the motions. You will get out of this what you put into it. As Rick Warren says, "We are as spiritually mature as we choose to be."
Share your One Thing with yourself in mind. When sharing with others, speak in the first person (I and me) not the second or third person. Avoid using we, you, they, and them. Remember, this is about what God is saying to you, about you, not what He is saying to you for others.